Module 1
Module 1
BELGAUM
ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(Subject Code: BCIVC203)
LECTURE NOTES
(MODULE-1)
II-SEMESTER
Mrs. Babitha B
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering
AJIET
A J INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
(A unit of Laxmi Memorial Education Trust. (R))
NH - 66, KottaraChowki, Kodical Cross - 575 006
ENGINEERING MECHANICS
Subject Code: BCIVC203 Department: Civil Engineering
MODULE-1
Resultant of coplanar force system: Basic dimensions and units, Idealisations, Classification of
force system, principle of transmissibility of a force, composition of forces, resolution of a force,
Free body diagrams, moment, Principle of moments, couple, Resultant of coplanar concurrent
force system, Resultant of coplanar non-concurrent force system, Numerical examples.
Mechanics is a physical science dealing with the study of response of body under the application
of forces. Engineering mechanics is that branch of mechanics, it is broadly classified into three
types
It is the branch of science, which deals with the study of bodies which do not undergo any
deformation under the application of forces.
Statics: It is the branch of mechanics, which deals with the study of the behavior of bodies or
particles in the state of rest.
Dynamics:
It is the branch of mechanics, which deals with the study of the behavior of bodies or particles in
the state of motion.
It is the branch of science which deals with the study of bodies which undergo deformation under
the application of forces.
It is classified as
a) Strength of materials
b) Theory of plasticity
c) Theory of elasticity
Mechanics of Fluids: It is the branch of science which deals with the study of fluids.
a) Compressible Fluids
b) Incompressible Fluids
Idealization in Mechanics: The mathematical description of a real engineering problem can become very
complex. Thus, idealization (or models) and assumptions are used in mathematics in order to simplify the
application of the theory.
Particle: It is a body having infinitely small volume and its mass can be neglected or it has a negligible
dimensions.
In the mathematical sense, a particle is a body whose dimensions are considered to be near zero so that we
may analyze it as a mass concentrated at a point. We often choose a particle as a differential element of the
Rigid Body: is an idealized body composed of a large number of particles all of which always remain at
fixed distances from each other. In addition to the tendency to move a body in the direction of its
application, a force may also tend to rotate a body about an axis. A rigid body is assumed to undergo no
deformation under the action of applied forces. Its shape and dimensions remain fixed under all loading
conditions and at all times.
Point Force: It is an idealized force assumed to act at a point on a body. A constant force exerted on a body
by another is actually distributed over the area of contact between two bodies. If the area of contact is
relatively small, the contact force between the two bodies may be considered as a point (concentrated) force.
1. Particle: A body of infinitely small volume whose mass can be neglected is called a particle.
3. Rigid body: A rigid body is one in which the position of constituent particles do not change
under the application of external force
4. Deformable body: A deformable body is one in which the position of constituent particles
changes under the application of external forces.
5. Mass (m): The total amount of matter present in the body is known as mass. Unit of mass is the
kilogram-kg
6. Weight: A body is attracted towards the earth due to gravitation. This causes an acceleration
directed towards the center of earth called acceleration due to gravity, denoted as
‘g’.The resulting force is equal to the weight of body.
7. Scalar quantity: A physical quantity, which has only magnitude, is called scalar quantity.
8. Vector quantity: A physical quantity, which has a direction in addition to magnitude, is known
as vector quantity.
Newton’s First law: This law states that ‘everybody continues in its state of rest or of uniform
motion along a straight line, so long as it is under the influence of a balanced force system’.
Newton’s Second law: This law states that ‘the rate of change momentum of a body is directly
proportional to the impressed force and it takes place in the direction of force acting on it
Newton’s Third law: This law states that ‘action and reaction are equal in magnitude but opposite
in direction’.
Force: It is the external agency, which tends to change the state of body or a particle. When a force
is applied to the body which is at rest, the body may remain in the state of rest or it may move with
some velocity. The SI unit of force is Newton.
i) Magnitude: The length of the vector represents the magnitude of force. Ex: Force 10kN is the
magnitude
10kN
Magnitude
Point force: A force which is acting at a fixed point is known as a point force. Let us consider a
man climbing a ladder. The weight of the man is not actually concentrated at a fixed point but for
the purpose of analysis it is assumed to be concentrated at a particular point. Force is a vectore
quantity with both magnitude and direction.
Force System: If two or more forces are acting on a body or a particle, then it is said to be a force
system.
If two or more forces are acting in a single plane, then it is said to be a coplanar force system.
If two or more forces are acting in a single plane and their lines of action pass through a single
point, then it is said to be a coplanar concurrent force system
If two or more forces are acting in a single plane and their lines of action do not meet at a common
point, then the forces constitute a coplanar non-concurrent force system.
If two or more forces are acting in a single plane with their lines of action parallel to one another,
produce a coplanar parallel force system.
Coplanar parallel force system is of two types:
i) Like parallel force system: All the forces act parallel to one another and are in the
same direction.
ii) Unlike parallel force system: The forces act parallel to another, but some of the
forces have their line of action in opposite directions.
If two or more forces are acting in different planes, the forces constitute a Non-coplanar force
system. Such a system of forces can be
If a system has two or more forces acting on different planes but pass-through the same point, then
it is said to be non-coplanar concurrent force system.
If two or more forces are acting on different planes and further do not pass through the same point,
they cause a non-coplanar non-concurrent force system.
If two or more forces are acting in different planes and are parallel to one another, the system is
said to be a non-coplanar parallel force system.
If the lines of action of two or more forces coincide with one another, it is called a collinear
force system.
If the lines of action of the forces are not coinciding with one another, it is called a non-
collinear force system.
This principle states that ‘a force can be transmitted from one point to another point along the same
line of action such that the effect produced by the force on a body remains unchanged’.
Explanation: Let us consider a rigid body subjected to a force of F at point O. According to the
principle of transmissibility this force can be transmitted to a new point O1 along the same line of
action such that the net effect remains unchanged.
Principle of Superposition:
This principle states that ‘the net effect of system of forces on a body is same as that of the
combined effect of individual forces on the body”
This principle states that ‘the action of a force on a body is not affected by the action of
any other force on the body’.
The resultant of a system of forces is a single calculated force which is capable of producing the
same effect as that of system of forces on the body. It is the vector sum of forces of the system.
COMPOSITION OF FORCES
The technique of finding the resultant of forces is called composition of forces.
If two forces are acting simultaneously on a particle and away from the particle, with the two
adjacent sides of a parallelogram representing both the magnitude and direction of forces, the
magnitude and direction of a resultant can be represented by the diagonal of the parallelogram
starting from common point of two forces.
Let P and Q are the two forces, which are represented by sides AB and AD of the
parallelogram, and resultant can be represented by AC
ii)Triangle law:
If two forces acting simultaneously on a particle can be represented both in magnitude and
direction by the two sides of a triangle taken in order, the magnitude and direction of a resultant
can be represented by the third side of a triangle, taken in opposite order.
iii)Polygon law:
If a number of forces are acting on a particle, can be represented by both magnitude and
direction by sides of polygon taken in order, the resultant can be represented in magnitude and
direction by the closing side of a polygon taken in the opposite order.
➢ The components of each force in the system in two mutually perpendicular directions are
found.
➢ The components in each direction are algebraically added to obtain the two components
➢ These two component forces which are mutually perpendicular are combined to obtain the
resultant force.
If two or more forces are acting in a single plane and passing through a single point, such a
force system is known as a coplanar concurrent force system
Let F1, F2, F3, F4 represent a coplanar concurrent force system. It is required to determine the
resultant of this force system.
It can be done by first resolving or splitting each force into its component forces in each
direction are then algebraically added to get the sum of component forces.
These two sums are then combines using parallelogram law to get the resultant of the force
systems.
In the fig, let fx1, fx2, fx3, fx4 be the components of F1, F2, F3, F4 forces in the X-direction.
∑ Fx = fx1+ fx2+fx3+fx4
Resolution of force:
The process of splitting of a force into its two rectangular components is known as resolution of
force.
In the above figure, F is the force which makes an angle with the horizontal, can be
resolved in to two components namely FX and FY along x and y axis respectively
FY=Fcos ; FX=Fsin
Note: If the force makes an angle of with horizontal, the horizontal component of the force
is Fcos
Composition of Forces:
The process of combining a number of forces in to a single force such that the net effect produced
by the single force must be equal to the algebraic sum of effect produced by the individual forces.
Resultant force: If number of forces are acting on a body, they can be replaced by a single force
called the resultant force which produces the same effect on the body as that produced by the
individual forces acting together.
PROBLEMS:
1. A Force of 200N is acting on a block as shown in figure. Find the component of force along the
horizontal and vertical axis.
PROBLEMS:
2) Determine the magnitude & direction of the resultant (R) of the coplanar concurrent force
system shown in figure below.
75N Y
200N
X 70 30
45 35
100N
150 N
R= 200.21N
α = tan- 1 ( )
α = tan-1(13.72/ 199.72) = 3.930
R= 199.21N
α = tan-1( )
α = tan-1(137.55/ 144.11) = 43.66
4.) Determine the resultant of a coplanar concurrent force system shown in figure below
R= 1101.08 N
α = tan-1( )
α = tan-1(110.90/ 1095.48) = 5.780
5. The Magnitude and direction of the resultant of the coplanar concurrent force system
shown in figure.
R= 8.831 kN
α = tan-1( )
α = tan-1(4.815 /7.404) = 33.03°
6) 26kN force is the resultant of two forces, one of which is as shown in figure. Determine the
other force.
R=26 kN
12 3
1 =tan-1 = 67.3802=tan-1 =36.870
5 4
Fx = Rx
Fy = Ry
∑FX=R
∑FY=0
FY=0
150
∑FX=R
ie. 80cos450+60cos600+100cos300+150cos17.61 =R
R=316.142N.
8) Four forces are acting on a bolt shown in figure. Determine the magnitude and direction of the
resultant.
R= Fx 2
+ Fy 2
Fx =250+300cos300+200cos33.690=676.218
Fy =100-300sin30+200sin33.690=60.939
FY
θ=tan-1
Fx
60.939
θ=tan-1 =5.1490.
676.218
Moment of a force:
The turning effect produced by the force on a body is known as moment of a force. The
magnitude of the moment is given by the product of magnitude of force and perpendicular distance
between the line of action of force and point or axis of rotation.
Types of moment:
i) Clockwise moment: If the tendency of force is rotate the body in clockwise
direction, (then) it is said to be a clockwise moment and is taken positive.
Properties of couple:
i) Two equal and opposite parallel forces are required to form a couple.
ii) Magnitude of the moment of the couple=Product of magnitude of one of the force
and moment arm (perpendicular distance between two forces).
iii) Resultant of the forces of the couple is zero.
Types of couple:
i) Clockwise couple
ii) Anticlockwise couple
The theorem states that “Algebraic sum of moments of individual forces of a force system
about a point is equal to moment of their resultant about the same point.
Let R be the resultant of forces P1and P2 and B be the moment centre. Let d, d1 and d2 be the
moment arms of forces R, P1 and P2 respectively from the moment centre B.
Rd =P1d1+P2d2
Proof:
Join AB and consider it as Y axis and draw X axis at right angles to it at A. Let θ be the angle
made by the R with X axis and noting that same angle is formed by the perpendicular to R from B
and note the point as B1.
=ABxRcosθ
Rd=ABxRX---------------------- (1)
Where RX be the component of R in X direction. Similarly, if P1X and P2X are the components of
Since the sum of X components of individual forces is equal to the X components of the resultant
R.From eqn. (1) and (4) we can conclude that
Rd = P1 d1 + P2 d2
Problems:
1) A 100N vertical force is applied to a shaft at A as shown in figure. Determine the effect of 100N
force at 0.
It produces as
2) Reduce the force acting at A into a system of force and couple at point 0.
3) For the system of parallel forces shown below, determine the magnitude of the resultant
and also its position from A.
R = ∑Fy =250N
Since ∑Fx = 0
4) The three like parallel forces 100 N, F and 300 N are acting as shown in figure below. If the
resultant R=600 N and is acting at a distance of 4.5 m from A, find the magnitude of force F and
position of F with respect to A.
600=100+F+300
= 200 N
We get
X = 600/200 = 3m from A
5. A bracket is subjected to five forces and a couple as shown in figure. Determine magnitude,
direction and line of action of resultant.
R= Fx 2
+ Fy 2
= tan −1
Fy
Fx
= 28.69
.
d=
M A
82
d=
5.532 =14.825cm
.
X-intercept =
M A
=
82
=30.873cm
Fy 2.656
Y-intercept =
M A
=
82
=16.897cm
Fx − 4.853
6. Determine the resultant of the force system acting on the plate. As shown in figure given
below with respect to AB and AD.
θ= Tan-1(∑Fy/ ∑Fx)
θ= Tan-1(16.16/19.33) = 39.890
Tracing moments of forces about A and applying varignon’s principle of moments we get
x = 107.99/16.16 = 6.683m
= 5.586m.
7. Determine the resultant of system of forces shown in figure acting on a 40mm 40mm size
lamina in the figure. Each grid is of size 10mm10mm.Determine x and y intercept also.
40
tan 2 = ; 2 = tan −1 (2) = 63.43 tan1 = 30 ; 1 = tan −1 (3) = 71.57
10
20
R= Fx 2
+ Fy 2
Fx = 150 + 400 cos 71.57 + 200 cos 63.43 + 100 = 465 .982 N
Fy = −250 − 400 sin 71.56 + 200 sin 63.43 = −450 .61N
R= Fx 2
+ Fy 2 = 648.219 N
= tan −1
Fy = −44.04 0
Fx
X-intercept =
M
Fy
M = 0 + 150 40 + 400 sin 71.56 40
= 21178.487Nmm
21178.487
x − int ercept = = 47mm
− 450.61
21178.487
y − int ercept = = 45.449mm
365.9821
a) Find the resultant of these forces b) locate the point where the line of action of the resultant
intersects the edge AB of the plate.
500
tan 1 = ,
375
1 = 53.13
2 = 90 − 53.13 = 36.87
200
tan 3 = = 28.072
375
R= Fx 2
+ Fy 2
1200
1 = tan −1 = 50.19
1000
MA
Fy
ii)x-intercept =
74999.048
X intercept = = 62.499 mm
1200
9.The forces acting on 1m length of a dam are shown in fig, Determine the resultant of the three forces
acting on the dam shown in Fig. and locate its intersection with the base OB. For good design, this
intersection should occur within the middle third of the base. Does it?
Rx=ΣFx
Rx=50−30cos30∘
Ry=ΣFy
Ry= -120−30sin30∘
R=√Rx2+Ry2
R=137.12 kN
tanθx=Ry/Rx
tanθx=135/24.02
θx= 79.92∘
x = 2.861m
REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. Explain the basic Idealization in mechanics
2. Define couple and list out the characteristics of couple
3. What are the characteristics of a force
4. Define the principle of superposition of forces
5. State and explain principle of transmissibility of forces.
6. List the various system of forces with their characteristics and an example with a neat
sketch.
7. The moment of a certain force is 240N-m anticlockwise about point O as shown in fig
and 320N-m clockwise about point B. If the moment of force about A is zero. Determine
the magnitude and direction of force
A
4m
O 7m B
8. A 500N force is applied to a point A of L shaped plate. Find the equivalent force couple
system at B
19.) Determine the resultant of a coplanar concurrent force system shown in figure below
20. Find the magnitude, direction and x-intercept of the resultant of the system of forces as
shown in fig, S is the midpoint of RT.